Metro Communities: Winds cause power outage at Des Moines VA hospital

The blustery day caused circuit issues and at least one power outage Tuesday around the veterans hospital in Des Moines.

Tina Potthoff of MidAmerican Energy said an outage at 5:11 p.m. Tuesday lasted for less than a minute. It affected 1,600 customers in the area surrounding the VA Central Iowa Healthcare System hospital, 3600 30th Street.

She said tree branches blowing into a power line at 34th Street and Adams Avenue caused the electrical circuit to open.

Judy Johnson-Mekota, the director of the veterans hospital in Des Moines, said the VA was on emergency power for part of the evening but wasn’t otherwise affected by the outage.

Firefighters responded to the area at least twice Tuesday before handing off responsibility to Mid­American each time.

Islamic leader receives second delay in trial

A Des Moines Islamic leader who was arrested in August after he allegedly sexually abused a mother and daughter has received a second delay in his trial.

Nermin Spahic, 41, faces one count of third-degree sexual abuse and two counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist after he allegedly abused the two women during a religious ceremony at their home in Johnston.

Spahic’s trial was scheduled to begin last week. No date has been set for a new trial, according to online court records.

Spahic’s attorneys and prosecutors are scheduled to meet with a judge Jan. 21 for a status update in the case, according to online court records.

In November, Spahic’s attorney, Angela Campbell, filed a motion to review mental health records of the two women, arguing that the mother had told police her daughter had a “history of mental illness and deception.” As part of the motion, Campbell also argued the charge violates Spahic’s religious freedom, as he never had a formal counseling relationship with either of the two women.

Spahic was allegedly called to the house by the mother to perform an Islamic ceremony on her daughter that involved “chanting and rubbing the body with oil,” according to court papers. The daughter had allegedly suffered from mental health issues, including depression and substance abuse, court papers said.

At the time of his arrest, Spahic served as the imam, an Islamic prayer leader, at the Des Moines Islamic and Cultural Center Bosniak on Lower Beaver Road.

Three to be honored at MLK Jr. breakfast

Allia Foley is this year’s youth honoree for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast on Monday.

Foley, along with fellow honorees Jamel Crawford and Vernon Johnson, will be recognized at this year’s breakfast event. The breakfast will be held in Parents Hall in Drake University’s Olmsted Center from 7:15 to 9:30 a.m. Monday.

Suku Radia, president and CEO of Banker’s Trust in Des Moines, will be the keynote speaker.

Tickets are $30 for individuals and $300 for a table of eight. For more information, call the John. R. Grubb Community YMCA at 515-246-0791.

PLEASANT HILL

Ribbon-cutting set for new Fareway store

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned today to celebrate the opening of Pleasant Hill’s Fareway, 5500 E. University Ave.

Pleasant Hill chamber members, public officials and other dignitaries plan to gather at the store at 9:30 a.m. today.

The Pleasant Hill Fareway was built on the site of the former Hawkeye Wood Shavings plant. Fareway purchased the land from the city back in 2012 as part of a redevelopment project.